Council bosses have apologised after an Irvine couple grieving their son’s tragic suicide were sent a ‘sick’ bill demanding his unpaid debt.

Grieving parents John and Kathleen, both 55, were heartbroken after their son took his own life during the lockdown after suffering from problems with his mental health.

James, 36, was found dead back on Thursday, April 9 – after his barking dog alerted neighbours, with his parents calls eventually answered by the police.

While grieving their son’s death and trying to comes to terms with what had happened,they were furious and distressed to be sent a bill for £348.50 in unpaid council tax.

James’ father John told the Times they had been unsuccessful when trying to get in touch with the council after receiving the ‘sick’ and ‘insensitive’ letter.

North Ayrshire Council have since apologised for the distress caused to the couple – and insisted the office was unaware of the tragic circumstances.

Dad John McGeough said: “We’re angry, our boy committed suicide and we are trying to get through that and then to get this.

“I just think it’s sick, with what we’re going through then to get this sent though. My wife was talking to someone we know and they had the same letter out. I just think North Ayrshire Council have been insensitive, we shouldn’t get this.

“It’s actually just putting more questions in our head about why he committed suicide. Now we’ve got this letter it’s just giving us more questions and we’re trying to move on.

“When the lockdown started we got a phone call from the housing association. He had a dog, and he loved that dog, but it had been up all night barking. We knew there was something wrong so my wife went to the house and kept phoning his mobile but eventually someone answered and it was the police.

“But we got this through today and I just think it’s insensitive. This is the most angry I have been since I found out my boy died. ”

A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said: “It is standard practice, when the council tax office is notified of a death, the account is updated and is put on hold.

“Should there be any outstanding balance due, a letter is issued to the executor along with a form to complete to enable the balance to be written off. In line with data protection regulations, the cause of death is not disclosed.

“Due to the current pandemic, the council has seen a significant increase in call volumes and has therefore been encouraging customers to make contact with the council tax office via email at counciltax@north-ayrshire.gov.uk. We appreciate this is a very difficult time for Mr McGeogh and apologise for any distress this may have caused.”